A Passion to Serve

By Don Kuchnicki

A Passion to Serve is a podcast about migrant and seasonal farm workers and individuals who work on their behalf. Host Don Kuchnicki interviews a variety of guests who are passionate about their role serving the farm worker population.

Season 2, Episode 9

The Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs conducted a Facebook Live Event to discuss available services in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. I have incorporated the audio recording in this episode.

A Passion to Serve host Don Kuchnicki shares a Facebook Live event, where he and AgHelp co founder Sadoc Paredes are interviewed about employment and training opportunities in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.

A Passion to Serve host Don Kuchnicki shares a Facebook Live Event recording put on by the Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs. This session focuses on the impact of Covid-19 on the Ag industry.

A Passion to Serve host Don Kuchnicki shares a Facebook Live recording put on by the Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs (AFOP). Amy Liebman from the Migrant Clinicians Network and Dr. Laszlo Madaras discuss challenges the Farmworker community is facing due to the Coronavirus, or Covid-19.

A Passion to Serve host Don Kuchnicki speaks with PathStone employees Jeff Lewis, Luayda Ortiz and Brenda Sota about employment and training programs in Puerto Rico as well as disaster relief efforts when hurricanes and earthquakes have impacted the island.

A Passion to Serve host Don Kuchnicki speaks with Sophia Rodas about her participation in the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP), her internship with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan and her involvement with the Telamon Farmworker Individual Development Account Program.

During episode six of A Passion to Serve, podcast host Don Kuchnicki speaks with Telamon Michigan Head Start employee Luis Ramos. Mr. Ramos discusses his role as a State Family Services Specialist as well as his long-term commitment to serving individuals, communities and his country.

A Passion to Serve host Don Kuchnicki talks with Telamon Corporation employees Naxhiely Orozco and Josue Guillen about their role as Workforce Development Specialists. Josue and Naxhiely discuss a day in the life of a Workforce Development Specialist, their challenges and triumphs.

A Passion to Serve host Don Kuchnicki speaks with Joshua Simon and Julieta Cruz Flores, two winners of the 2019 Children in the Fields essay and art contest. During this episode Joshua and Julieta discuss what inspired their art and future dreams they have for themselves and their family.

Melanie Forti, Health and Safety Director for the Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs (AFOP), discusses the Children in the Fields Campaign. We talk about work being done on behalf of Farmworker children as well as winners of the 2019 Essay and Art contest, which provides a creative outlet for youth to express themselves.

During episode two of a Passion to Serve I speak with Cynthia Thomas-Grant about the professional career of Eloy Salazar, who began advocating on behalf of farmworkers during the civil rights movement.

A Passion to Serve host Don Kuchnicki speaks with Diane Swift and Rita Garcia-Manus, who were inducted into the Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs (AFOP) Hall of Fame in 2019. During the podcast Diane and Rita discuss the work they have done on behalf of migrant and seasonal farmworkers as well as offer their experience and wisdom about administering programs and other important leadership responsibilities.